Entries by Staff Writer

For many years I have for the most part minded my own business, keeping my mouth shut, and watching life go on around me. But the murder of Cpl. James M. Dixon III, USMC, changed that. My tolerance level plummeted.

I have spoken with several people about the events surrounding James’ death, and I understand that he did not fire his gun at anyone, nor was he pointing it or preparing to fire when he was killed. It seems that in his mind, he was in Iraq, surrounded by the enemy. He was standing there holding his gun, in a state of confusion. If he had been pointing his gun or preparing to fire, his death would have been justified, if there were no way to subdue him.
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Edon La-Zandra “Boo” Cray departed this life Feb. 25, 2012. God sent his angel to bring Edon to his resting place. Edon better known as “Boo” was born Dec. 13, 1979 in Baxley. He was the son of Orma Jean Cray and the late Edon Cray, Sr. Boo started his church dedication at Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C. He was educated in the Appling County School District. In addition to his father, Boo was also preceded in death by a brother, Gary Edon Cray. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
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Scottie Laverne Jackson, son of the late Calvin Jackson, Jr. and Lillie Naomi Jackson, born Nov. 3, 1968, died February 19, 2012 at his Warrick Lane residence after an extended illness. Scottie attended schools in Appling County School System. He remained in Baxley after attending school and was a dedicated, devoted and loving son to his mother. His genuine love for people was manifested through his untiring generosity and hospitality to others. Scottie would give the shirt off of his back to help someone in need and was always happy. In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by five sisters, Carol D. Jones, Otha Nell Jackson, Malana Solomon, Melva Jean Farrington and Sylvia Jackson and a brother, Wilton F. Jackson.
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Tanner Michael Jones, infant son of Jeremy and Amanda Hutto Jones, died Monday, February 27, 2012 in the Candler Hospital in Savannah. Tanner was preceded in death by a first cousin, Cole Darden.
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James Gregory “Greg” Morris, 52, died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012. Greg was born July 21, 1959 in Appling County to the late Tom Lawton Morris, Jr. and the late Janet Gail Smith Morris. He was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Marina Morris of Metter; one son, Brett Morris of Baxley; a special friend, Mary Jean Allen of Eastman; two special cousins, Shayne Smith and Nan Marie Miles; one uncle, Mike (Tish) Smith; two aunts, Martha Ann Poppell and Mary Sally Turner and two grandchildren also survive.
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Isabelle Dixon Murkerson, 74, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at her residence in Hortense. Ms. Murkerson was born to William Harvey Dixon and the late Emily Barber Dixon Nov. 10, 1937 in Appling County and had lived in Hortense for the past thirty years. Isabelle was a caretaker and she was disabled.
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Jane Carter Touchton, 75, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 in Jacksonville, FL following a brief illness. Jane was born in Baxley Nov. 1, 1936 to Cecil W. and Lois Beecher Carter. She went to be with her Lord and joined her father, the Rev. Cecil W. Carter (predeceased in 1980) and her son, Michael Howell, (predeceased in 1996), both of Baxley. Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She had a deep and abiding love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was the pianist and organist at Faith Memorial Baptist Church for over 45 years. Ms. Touchton was also known to be a great cook. Her ‘yellow bowl’ of potato salad, chicken and dumplings, squash casseroles, pie and cakes were always the first to go at church socials. She was known for her devotion to her family, church and friends, her loving kindness and a life served for God.
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“If you owned or did business with a bank in a small South Georgia town, and it got robbed or burgled, I probably did it.” So Willie Foster Sellers could say with complete accuracy. A Surrency farm boy, Sellers and his Dixie Mafia cohorts sparked a crime wave in the old Confederacy during the late 1950’s that lasted through the mid-1970’s and netted them an estimated $8 million in ill-gotten loot.
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John Barrow, U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 12th District, is planning a visit to Baxley and Appling County, Monday, March 12 as part of a get-acquainted tour of the newly expanded 12th Congressional District.

His plans include a noontime lunch meeting at Apple Dumpling Restaurant on West Parker Street. The Dutch-treat lunch will include a brief address by John and a chance to speak with the congressman.
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Georgia’s longest yard sale, now over 220 miles long, the “Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale” will take place this Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, along the Golden Isles Parkway (US Highway 341). Yard Sale Organizer for Appling County Paula Tanner encourages everyone planning to have a yard sale anywhere in Appling County during the “Peaches to the Beaches” Yard Sale weekend to please pay the $30.00 Official Vendor Fee and be listed on the official Appling County Site Map given to all visitors during the event.
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Sheriff Benny DeLoach would like to report the following activity of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office.

Feb. 23,answered a call on Red Dot Road in reference to a theft. A complainant stated that someone had taken her unemployment check out of her mailbox. The complainant believes she is aware of who took the check.

Feb. 23, answered a call to Alpine Drive in reference to harassing phone calls. A complainant stated her ex-husband continues to make threatening calls and text messages to her.
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The Appling County Pirates improved their record to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 2AA play with wins over Vidalia (1-5 overall, 1-1 Region 2AA), Wayne County (3-2, 0-0 Region 2A-AAAA) and Jeff Davis (3-3, 1-1).

The Pirates will play Bacon County (2-2, 1-1 Region 2B-A) at home in a non-region contest on Monday, March 5.
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City Manager Jeff Baxley announced at the regular council meeting Feb. 28 that the Water Works Park would be closed temporarily beginning Wednesday, Feb. 29 for routine repairs and painting of the water tank that is located at the park. The manager also stated the park would be closed until the maintenance is finished, approximately two weeks. If anyone has any questions they can call City Hall at 367-8300.
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The Appling County Board of Education approved a waiver request recommendation from Superintendent Scarlett Copeland, at the regular monthly meeting held on February 27, that will request approval from the Georgia State Board of Education to waive O.C.G.A. 20-2-1183, Possession of Electronic Communication Devices, in all Appling County Schools for the next five years. As part of the waiver request the board stated that technology would be used in Appling County schools to provide access to the Internet, instructional applications, digital resources, productivity tools and blended learning environments. It will also be used to improve and encourage collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and creativity. Technology better engages students and prepares students for the 21st Century workforce.
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In previous legislative reports, I have dealt mainly with economic issues facing the state. This week’s report, however, centers on a major social issue that is often in the news and was addressed by the Georgia House last week.

On Wednesday the House approved legislation known as the Fetal Pain Bill. A large part of the afternoon was spent debating this issue. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the Governor, it is estimated that over 1500 healthy babies would be saved each year in Georgia. Other states have put into law the same legislation, and so far there have been no objections by the courts, according to Right to Life proponents. House Bill 954 received 102 votes. This was 11 more than needed for passage.
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